Random March happenings

 I have been rehearsing for the Lamb of God since January.  It has been a fun, but tedious process.  I have wanted to be a part of this production for years and I am so grateful I was chosen to sing the part of Martha this year.  She sings a song called, "Make me whole" and it just spoke to me at the auditions.  I had to fight for the role and the rehearsal process has left me in tears at times because one woman doesn't like me.  I am trying to stay positive and let me real voice shine through so that I can glorify God and Christ through music. 

Pam Martinez and I started running together on Saturdays.  We are training for the Taos 10K up and over.  It is so fun to have a partner to run with each week.  We keep each other motivated.  All the rest of this month has been filled with taking the boys to all the places they need to go and getting them ready for real adult life. 

Helping Grandpa Clean Up!

 You know you have a best friend who really loves you when they take their spring break so drive to your house and help you clean up your parents house.  Veronica, Chris, and their kids drove from Kingman to help me clean up my mom's stuff and help clean up my dad's back yard.  It was a long tough day, but we did it!  We spent the next day at the aquarium and eating with my family.  

I am so grateful to them for taking time out of their lives to help me through one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I took loads of my mom's stuff to goodwill and we also took a big trip to the dumb.  My dad is a bit of a pack rat so when he was willing to let go of stuff, we jumped on the chance.  

Craig's 41st birthday!

 It has been so fun having my family live nearby.  Blair was gone for Craig's birthday, so I made him foccaia bread and some protein ice cream.  We just hung out and played games.  Nothing super amazing, but I do love hanging out with my brother.  I am so glad I have been able to spend the last two years with him.  

19 years together!

 

19 years! We have been married for 19 years. In some ways time has moved slowly and in other ways time has blinked by quickly. I have lived so many beautiful moments with Stephen Barnes, my love. He is my everything. He lights up my world. I adore him. I do not ever want to be without him. He brings me so much joy. I don’t have the vocabulary to fully express how much I love him. 

Today, Stephen was up before me because his whole life changed a year ago when he started going through some major health challenges. He now sleeps when I sleep and is usually up before me. He went to the PT doc then was home by the time I went to get groceries at 8:00. I have been ordering my groceries online for the last year and it is delightful! After we put away the food, I lifted some weights then went for a four mile speed work run. I jumped in the shower then headed to brunch with Stephen at our favorite place, Los Poblanos Farm! Yummy! I had the blue corn pancakes and we did a tasting of the gin that is made at the farm. It was gross. 

After brunch, I finished a book and took a nap while I made focaccia bread for Craig’s birthday tomorrow. We have been trying to make sourdough weekly and this is another adventure.  We took the dog on a walk then went to see a weird movie called Micky Barnes. If you’re reading this, maybe skip the movie. Ha! All in all it was a delightful day! Happy anniversary to us! 

Piano recital!

Nolen had been taking piano from an older woman named Marilyn for the last 8 months. He is enjoying it so far. She had a recital and Nolen did great! He played two songs memorized and was altogether a much better pianist! 

I made a bunch of cookies for the recital and Blair helped me do rate them. This was my second attempt at making sugar cookies and I did it! Yay! 

Spring is nearly here and the flowers are starting to come up in the yard! I love it! I have been ramping up my running lately to possibly run a half marathon April 5th here is ABQ. I met my friend Pam for an 8 mile run early this morning. 

I have also been rehearsing for the Lamb of God show that I’m in at the end of April. It has been stressful but very fun. 

We lost the Power

 Today, our power went out for three hours.  We had no choice but to get together and play a game.  Nolen picked Scrabble.  I really don't like scrabble because I feel like I have a very limited vocabulary and it is often hard for me to come up with words.  We have had the strangest weather the last few weeks.  It has been unseasonably warm, and then it will be freezing cold.  The wind today was furious!  Nolen won the game but Edward came in a close second.  Stephen and I lost.  HA!  I want to look back on these moments and remember that we really did spend time together as a family when the boys were teenagers.  This time of life is often difficult because everyone wants to do their own thing and it is tough to meet up and actually have a conversation.  So a win for the wind!